The Chadron State men's basketball team will be “taking on the big boys” Thursday night when it plays the Colorado State Rams in Fort Collins. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

The Rams were 20-12 last season, including a 14-1 record at home. This year's team has a new coach, but it could be improved.

Last year's coach, Tim Miles, is now the head coach at Nebraska. His replacement is Larry Eustachy, who has a 402-258 record after heading the programs at Idaho, Utah State, Iowa State and Southern Mississippi.

The Rams have a strong Nebraska flavor. Last year's leading scorer was Wes Eikmeier, who averaged 15.5 points. He is a 6-foot-3 senior from Fremont Bergen.

The starting point guard a year ago was Jesse Carr, who led Ainsworth to the Class C-1 state championship in 2007, when the Bulldogs edged Chadron High 63-59 in the title game in Lincoln. Carr scored 22 points in the championship tilt.

Two more Nebraskans on the Rams' team are brothers Greg and Dwight Smith, who led Ralston to the Class B state championship in 2008-09.

A newcomer on the CSU roster this season is 6-10 Colton Iverson, a Yankton, S.D., native. He averaged 5.4 points and 5.0 rebounds as a part-time starter at Minnesota in 2010-11 before switching to Fort Collins.

The Rams defeated Metro State 87-67 in an exhibition game last week in Fort Collins. Metro State is the preseason favorite to win the RMAC this winter.